Senator Raffy Tulfo is pushing for the removal of travel tax being imposed on Filipinos flying economy class to any part of the world.
Tulfo, Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Public Services, stressed that imposing additional costs to economy class passengers who are traveling on budget using funds they saved for a long time is a violation of their constitutional right to travel.
“This right to travel shall not be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.”
Article III, Section 6 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution recognizes the Filipino People’s right to travel. He said that this right to travel shall not be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.
The basis of the government’s continued imposition of the travel tax is Presidential Decree 1183 issued in 1977, which the legislator wants to be repealed.
In PD 1183, Filipinos who are exempted from paying the travel tax are OFWs, infants, and gov’t officials and corporations on official travel.
“Ang mga pasahero sa first and business class ay mananatiling magbabayad pa rin ng tinatawag na luxury tax?” the lawmaker asked.
The senator is set to file a bill abolishing travel tax to economy class passengers departing to any country abroad.
